Raleigh City Council, At-Large: James G. Bledsoe

Name: James Garland Bledsoe

Age: 39

Party affiliation: Republican

Campaign website: Electjamesbledsoe.com

Occupation and employer: IT Manager

1. Given the direction of Raleigh government, would you say things are on the right course? If not, what specific changes will you advocate for if elected? 

Raleigh is not on the right course. Housing remains largely unaffordable while taxes and bond measures continue to increase the cost of living. Safety and support for first responders have been neglected for decades, and many small businesses are shuttering instead of returning. The city’s overregulation of both business and housing has made it harder for residents to thrive. If elected, I will advocate for policies that promote housing affordability, reduce unnecessary regulations, support public safety, and work with the NC General Assembly to create property tax relief for long-term residents and veterans.

2. If you are a candidate for a district seat, please identify your priorities for your district. If you are an at-large candidate, please identify the three most pressing issues the city faces. 

1.) Housing affordability: Rising costs and restrictive regulations make it increasingly difficult for residents to buy or rent homes. Policies are needed to expand supply, reduce unnecessary red tape, and help long-term residents and veterans maintain stability.

2.) Public safety: For decades, first responders have been under-resourced, leaving our community vulnerable. Strengthening and supporting our police, fire, and emergency services is critical.

3.) Economic vitality and business climate: Overregulation has caused small businesses to close or struggle to reopen. We need a regulatory environment that encourages entrepreneurship, attracts investment, and keeps downtown and neighborhoods thriving.

3. What in your record as a public official or other experience demonstrates your ability to be effective as a member of the city council and as an advocate for the issues that you believe are important? 

While I have not previously held public office, I bring extensive experience serving my community and leading teams in high-stakes environments. As an Army veteran, I developed leadership, problem-solving, and organizational skills that allow me to navigate complex systems effectively. I have also served as an unofficial Veterans Service Officer, helping fellow veterans access critical resources. Combined with my work on housing, public safety, and community initiatives, this experience equips me to be an effective city council member and advocate for policies that improve housing affordability, public safety, and economic opportunity for all Raleigh residents.

4. Many Raleigh leaders publicly committed to supporting a future affordable housing bond before the 2024 city council election and again this summer. Do you agree that a future affordable housing bond referendum should go before voters? Please explain your position. If you support a future affordable housing bond, when should it appear on ballots and in what (estimated) amount? What else can the city do to make sure Raleigh housing is affordable for current and future residents? 

I do not support an affordable housing bond as currently proposed. While addressing housing affordability is critical, bond measures often increase taxes, which disproportionately impact long-term residents and veterans, and can drive up the cost of living rather than solving the underlying issues. Instead, Raleigh should focus on policies that increase housing supply, reduce unnecessary regulations, and remove barriers for small developers and builders. Working with the NC General Assembly, the city can create targeted property tax relief for long-term residents and veterans to help maintain stability. By prioritizing these approaches, we can make housing more accessible and affordable for both current and future residents without placing additional burdens on taxpayers.

5. As climate change leads to more intense rainfall, communities are at greater risk of inland flooding, such as the historic floods in parts of the Triangle caused by Tropical Storm Chantal in July. How would you like Raleigh to address climate resilience, particularly flooding? 

Raleigh must take practical steps to reduce the risk and impact of flooding on our communities. This includes investing in stormwater infrastructure, maintaining and improving drainage systems, and ensuring that new development meets rigorous flood-prevention standards. I will work with state agencies, neighboring municipalities, and the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, drawing on my experience as an Army combat engineer, to coordinate flood mitigation and emergency response strategies. By focusing on smart infrastructure, sound planning, and preparedness, we can protect residents, businesses, and neighborhoods from future flooding while keeping the city safe and resilient.

6. After a decade of planning, Raleigh scrapped a proposal for the Six Forks Road widening project for bike and pedestrian lanes that would have been financed by transportation bonds that voters had already approved. In southeast Raleigh, construction on Phase 1 of the city’s Bus Rapid Transit system was delayed two years after the city initially failed to attract a bidder. How can city leaders ensure Raleigh keeps its commitments to voters and taxpayers and keeps projects on track from planning through construction, as well as within their budgets?   

Raleigh must approach large infrastructure projects with discipline, accountability, and practical oversight. City leaders should establish clear timelines, assign responsibility at every stage, and conduct regular progress reviews to prevent delays and cost overruns. Contractors should be held accountable for meeting deadlines and delivering on budget, with clear penalties for noncompliance. I will also advocate for close coordination with experienced agencies, including the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, whose expertise in planning, project management, and logistics can help ensure projects are completed efficiently, on budget, and in line with voter-approved intentions. By applying a results-focused, pragmatic approach, the city can protect taxpayer dollars and deliver the infrastructure Raleigh needs.

7. Recently, Customs and Border Protection agents carried out immigration enforcement operations in Raleigh with no official warning to elected officials or the public. At the same time, the Trump administration is working to ramp up deportations and curtail visas, while the legislature has passed laws requiring cooperation with ICE. What do you think Raleigh officials can or should do to ensure safe, welcoming communities for immigrants in light of these policies? 

Raleigh officials must prioritize the safety and security of all residents while respecting federal and state law. Local governments should cooperate with federal immigration enforcement as required by law, including coordination with ICE when appropriate, to ensure that undocumented individuals who commit crimes are removed and communities remain safe. At the same time, the city can support immigrants who are legally present by providing access to services, education, and opportunities for integration. A city that enforces the law while assisting law-abiding residents is a city that is both safe and fair.

8. GoRaleigh’s bus operators, who are officially employed by international transit system operator RATPDev USA, have brought complaints about difficult and unsafe working conditions to the city council on numerous occasions in the past year. Besides working with the Raleigh Police Department on more patrolling and safety at bus terminals, what could the city be doing to make the bus operators’ jobs safer and more manageable?  

Raleigh has seen concerning increases in violent crime, including human trafficking and sexual assault, and addressing safety at bus stops cannot be separated from the broader public safety crisis. The city should strengthen police presence citywide while ensuring bus operators have proper safety protocols, emergency communication systems, and support for manageable shifts. Contractors must be held accountable for maintaining safe working conditions and reporting incidents promptly. By addressing both citywide crime and transit-specific risks, Raleigh can better protect operators, passengers, and the community.

9. This year, the Raleigh Police Department has come under scrutiny for its handling of the investigation into the crash that killed Tyrone Mason. Additionally, a former senior officer was fired in May; it was later revealed that the officer conducted illegal searches. How do you think the city should work to build trust between residents and RPD, and what role do you think the council should have in overseeing the culture of the police department?

Building trust between residents and the Raleigh Police Department requires accountability, transparency, and clear communication. The city council should focus on policy oversight, ensuring that Internal Affairs investigations are thorough and impartial, and that state agencies like the SBI are involved when serious misconduct occurs. Council oversight should also emphasize training, ethical conduct, and community engagement, while supporting officers in performing their duties safely and professionally. By combining strong oversight, transparency, and active community dialogue, Raleigh can maintain a trustworthy and effective police department without undermining law enforcement.

10. Over the last year, Raleigh rolled out a crisis call diversion line and a care navigation team under the CARES umbrella. Those programs join the preexisting ACORNS unit within the police department as part of the city’s tool kit for responding to mental health, substance use, or homelessness concerns. Are you satisfied with the rollout of Raleigh CARES? Where do you want to see more investment or additional services? Should Raleigh consider creating a mobile crisis response team separate from the police department?

I support programs like Raleigh CARES and ACORNS as important tools for addressing mental health, substance use, and homelessness. Early reports show promise, but continued evaluation is needed to ensure these services are effective and accessible. I would advocate for additional investment in staffing, training, and coordination with social service agencies to improve response times and coverage. While a mobile crisis response team separate from police may be appropriate in some cases, any expansion should be carefully planned to ensure public safety, accountability, and collaboration with law enforcement when necessary. The city’s focus should be on solutions that work, protect residents, and use taxpayer resources efficiently.

11. Raleigh’s Citizen Advisory Councils have been fully restored, and the city has introduced civic assemblies for paid community outreach, among other measures. What more could or should the city do to engage and inform residents?  

Engaging and informing residents requires transparency, accessibility, and meaningful opportunities for participation, which are critical to rebuilding trust in city government. The city should continue supporting Citizen Advisory Councils and civic assemblies while expanding outreach to underrepresented neighborhoods, providing clear and timely information about projects, budgets, and policy decisions. Leveraging digital platforms, community meetings, and partnerships with local organizations can ensure all residents — including renters, small business owners, and veterans — feel heard and valued. By prioritizing accessible, inclusive, and trustworthy engagement, Raleigh can encourage higher civic participation and strengthen confidence in elected leaders.

12. If there are other issues you want to discuss, please do so here. 

Raleigh faces multiple challenges that require pragmatic, results-focused leadership. Housing affordability, rising crime, and an overregulated business climate threaten the city’s quality of life and economic vitality. I will work to increase housing supply, reduce unnecessary regulatory burdens, support public safety, and provide targeted tax relief for long-term residents and veterans. By focusing on solutions that work, ensuring accountability, and rebuilding trust between residents and city government, we can make Raleigh a safer, more affordable, and thriving community for everyone.